What we learned: Seahawks get revenge in Atlanta

November 10, 2013

John Bazemore/Associated Press

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2. The passing game is just fine, thank you
Wilson and the Seahawks have consistently struggled all year to establish a dominant passing game, and things were looking even worse with the loss of their No. 1 wideout, Sidney Rice, to a season-ending ACL tear against the Rams. Last week versus Tampa Bay, Seattle's other receivers got the job done but didn't provide a game-changing threat. That was nowhere near the case Sunday in Atlanta. Out of numerous standout plays, we'll highlight Seattle's two biggest receptions -- both in the second quarter.
Seattle led 6-3 and had just gotten the ball with 6:30 remaining in the second quarter. After a 37-yard "Beast Mode" run by Lynch, the Seahawks found themselves already at Atlanta's 43-yard line. Apparently it was time to take control of the game; offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell pulled a rare trick play out of his sleeve for first-and-10. Wilson took the snap and handed the ball to Lynch, who paused for a moment in the backfield. Lynch then lateraled back to Wilson on the left side, and Wilson threw a deep rocket to Jermaine Kearse, who had broken away downfield. Just barely open but well-guarded, Kearse had to adjust to the ball and did it beautifully, leaping and pulling in Wilson's pass for Seattle's first touchdown of the game. (Kearse's touchdown is pictured in final slide of this gallery.)
Not long later, when the Seahawks got the ball back 1:03 before halftime, Seattle drove from its 40-yard line all the way to Atlanta's 16 in just six plays. Seattle took its final timeout with 8 seconds left and elected to make one final try for the end zone. Wilson all but had to pass, so there could be a chance for a field goal if the ball dropped incomplete. Pass Wilson did, and expecting it the Falcons were -- but they couldn't stop the Seahawks regardless. Receiver Golden Tate slanted out to the left corner of the end zone and Wilson threw up an arching floater, which Tate snagged with one hand in the end

John Bazemore/Associated Press

3of7

2. The passing game is just fine, thank you
Wilson and the Seahawks have consistently struggled all year to establish a dominant passing game, and things were looking even worse with the loss of their No. 1 wideout, Sidney Rice, to a season-ending ACL tear against the Rams. Last week versus Tampa Bay, Seattle's other receivers got the job done but didn't provide a game-changing threat. That was nowhere near the case Sunday in Atlanta. Out of numerous standout plays, we'll highlight Seattle's two biggest receptions -- both in the second quarter.
Seattle led 6-3 and had just gotten the ball with 6:30 remaining in the second quarter. After a 37-yard "Beast Mode" run by Lynch, the Seahawks found themselves already at Atlanta's 43-yard line. Apparently it was time to take control of the game; offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell pulled a rare trick play out of his sleeve for first-and-10. Wilson took the snap and handed the ball to Lynch, who paused for a moment in the backfield. Lynch then lateraled back to Wilson on the left side, and Wilson threw a deep rocket to Jermaine Kearse, who had broken away downfield. Just barely open but well-guarded, Kearse had to adjust to the ball and did it beautifully, leaping and pulling in Wilson's pass for Seattle's first touchdown of the game. (Kearse's touchdown is pictured in final slide of this gallery.)
Not long later, when the Seahawks got the ball back 1:03 before halftime, Seattle drove from its 40-yard line all the way to Atlanta's 16 in just six plays. Seattle took its final timeout with 8 seconds left and elected to make one final try for the end zone. Wilson all but had to pass, so there could be a chance for a field goal if the ball dropped incomplete. Pass Wilson did, and expecting it the Falcons were -- but they couldn't stop the Seahawks regardless. Receiver Golden Tate slanted out to the left corner of the end zone and Wilson threw up an arching floater, which Tate snagged with one hand in the end